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Earliest signs of decline?

Posted by Gratia @gratia, 16 hours ago

Just curious whether your loved one exhibited signs you dismissed that could have been early symptoms of cognitive decline… We have our elderly mother with dementia, but she has been going downhill for almost 20 years-likely more. When I look back, I recall certain things that I attributed to her personality, but now I’m left wondering….
It doesn’t matter much because we are here now, but I just think of her past behaviors which I found frustrating and now I wonder if it was early onset…

Wishing all of you strength and joy. You’re all doing the best you can. You are doing heroic things…with no reward. I understand. ❤️

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

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judimahoney | @judimahoney | 3 hours ago

Hi:
My husband's diagnosis came a few years after we retired, but when we retired I started noticing that things started to be more and more about him, and his ego became front and center. I thought this was just his new retirement personality, then others started to notice that he wanted all of our attention and pushed till he got it.
I later read in a dementia book that the egotistical behavior is because they are so focused on keeping it together and maintaining that semblance of 'normal'. Now I know why it's all about him.

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Gratia | @gratia | 2 hours ago
In reply to @judimahoney "Hi: My husband's diagnosis came a few years after we retired, but when we retired I..." + (show)
Profile picture for judimahoney @judimahoney

Hi:
My husband's diagnosis came a few years after we retired, but when we retired I started noticing that things started to be more and more about him, and his ego became front and center. I thought this was just his new retirement personality, then others started to notice that he wanted all of our attention and pushed till he got it.
I later read in a dementia book that the egotistical behavior is because they are so focused on keeping it together and maintaining that semblance of 'normal'. Now I know why it's all about him.

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@judimahoney
Hello Judi,
Thank you for sharing this. I also noticed and continue to observe very “self-involved” behaviors. I do understand that it comes from a place of needing to control “what’s left”. Of course it must be very frightening to feel so lost, so focusing on what they can (themselves) probably is a way of self-soothing. I do have a lot of compassion, but I just wish she had let us know early on. A family friend told me she knew about a diagnosis years ago.

It might’ve helped us navigate this better. Or maybe not.

Gotta take the small wins. For example, I found a dry shampoo that works wonders on her hair (she’s bathing resistant).

Sending you lots of supportive energy and hugs. 🤗

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judimahoney | @judimahoney | 1 hour ago
In reply to @gratia "@judimahoney Hello Judi, Thank you for sharing this. I also noticed and continue to observe very..." + (show)
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@judimahoney
Hello Judi,
Thank you for sharing this. I also noticed and continue to observe very “self-involved” behaviors. I do understand that it comes from a place of needing to control “what’s left”. Of course it must be very frightening to feel so lost, so focusing on what they can (themselves) probably is a way of self-soothing. I do have a lot of compassion, but I just wish she had let us know early on. A family friend told me she knew about a diagnosis years ago.

It might’ve helped us navigate this better. Or maybe not.

Gotta take the small wins. For example, I found a dry shampoo that works wonders on her hair (she’s bathing resistant).

Sending you lots of supportive energy and hugs. 🤗

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@gratia
And my husband also has anosognosia, so he doesn't know what he's lost (no self awareness). I guess this is a blessing? 🤔

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